Airlines have long-focused on the front of the plane to squeeze the most revenue from affluent and business-class customers. But the Gulf carrier has now turned its attention to an upgraded premium economy seat on its Airbus A350 aircraft.
Passengers booking that seat can use a personal control pad to raise and lock a privacy divider.
Skift Airlines Editor Gordon Smith writes “the seat features electric recline with preset lounge and meal modes, a leather U-shaped headrest, deployable footrest, wireless charging and a 4K screen.”
This could be a great alternative for cost-conscious business travelers — managed and unmanaged — looking for a break from the sticker shock in first and business class.
MILLAT GROUP + SKIFT
Travel demand is growing across Africa. The challenge now is building the reliable mid-market ecosystem needed to support it.
EDITOR’S PICKS
GMH Hotels: The $35.7 Billion Side of Hospitality Nobody Talks About
September 2, 2026
On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk are joined by Jason Gamel, President and CEO of ARDA, to talk vacation ownership, where the industry is headed, and what the data actually shows about owner satisfaction and sector health.
JetBlue Unveils New Domestic First Class Seats as It Hopes to End Losing Streak
September 1, 2026
JetBlue’s new domestic first class seats seek to give customers a more premium experience with customized cocktails, meals, and roomy seats made with mattress foam. The carrier is banking on the seats to help it turn a profit.
Marriott Presses Sales Teams on $1.55 Billion ‘Gap to Goal’ for 2027 Groups
August 31, 2026
Marriott has given sales teams a year-end stretch goal of $1.55 billion for group bookings for next year at the hotels it manages in the U.S. and Canada. Its global 2027 group sales look "flattish." Other companies are more upbeat.
Reach corporate travel decision-makers and position your brand at the center of the business travel conversation by sponsoring Skift’s new report, The New Corporate Travel Landscape. Learn more today.
SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK
Expedia has long been seen as the B2B leader in online travel. New BTIG estimates say Booking Holdings may actually be ahead with around 196 million B2B room nights in the last 12 months versus Expedia's 170 million.
In this clip from Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Jamie Lane breaks down why B2B is nearly half of Expedia's entire business while it is only 15% of Booking's, and what that difference says about where each company is actually placing its bets.
SKIFT TRAVEL 200
How are public travel companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to know to understand the market. Paid subscribers get full access here.
